Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-09

The Dlstr1ct commissioners to-day gave out the
report made to them by Capt. Symons, in refer
ence to the expenditures Of the water department,
together with the following statement: In CIV
ing out the report OF the Official head OF the water
department for the Information Of the public, the
commissioners desire not only to emphasize, as
lorc1Dy as may be, the corrections OF the baseess
charges that have been published against the con-
duct Of the water service under the present form
OF government, but to formulate for the serious
consideration OF the citizens of the District and Of
the country at large, who have so direct and keen
an interest In all matters relating to the admins
tration OF public affairs at the federal seat OF gov
ernment. certain views OF the gravest import to
the present and future OF the District.
In the first place, tI Is evident that tha charges
of malfeasance so recklessly uttered to she world
and purporting to be derived from Official data,
are IN leauty based upon mere Jugglery with ng-
ures, by which one item OF expenditure is made 10
bear Inc burden OF many items and the public
mind, unacquainted with the actual facts is dis
turbed and agitated by vehement allegations OF
fraudland robbery which have no existence whatso-
ever save In the fertile imagination OF the unscru
the completely OF numerous district officials Of
high and low degree would be needful at the pres
% emt gay ,,n 10 accomplish the nisappropriation OF
OF the Federal Treasury as well, and the mere fact
that. under the system established when the pres
ent form OF government was 1naugurated. the
water department neither receives nor disburseS
any OF the funds collected or expended on Its ac-
count. Is conclusive as to the tmpractioility OF
robbery, even were temptation offered.
But the authors, avowed and secret, OF these cal
unnies, are In no wise deferred by such obvious
sideratons on the contrary Ignoring even the fact
that the present tncumbents have been in Office
little more than single year, and cannot there
fore be held responsible for past dereictions, did
such exist the effort is boldly made to raSten mall
reasance upon them, and even the dead bones OF a
former associate and friend Of the calumniators,
who, for ten years, has lain In forgotten and dis
n1 and chn lnla Il ~
danged in the light OF day for the further cOnfu-
sion OF the public mind
without seeking for the hidden sources of the
inspiration or these acts 1t Is evident that in some
sense conspiracy exists against the good name
and fame OF the District, and it may well be asked
what manner OF citizens can those be who are en-
gagged in it, and what should be the weight OF pub
lie condemnation that shall rest upon them, even
though the technical proof be wanting that would
convict them legally OF their guilt. But their ef-
forts, II confined to the limits OF the District,
would fail OF their effect
The Congress OF the United States is the legisla-
ture OF the District and the mind OF Congress- tOo
must be reached and this the more easily that the
individual members are widely scattered and re-
| moved from opportunity OF personal ascertain
ment OF the facts
The commissioners desire the serious attention
OF the pubic TO the possible far-reaching cOnse
is possible, viz, an endangering Of the present
form OF government, which has endured now for a
decade and has gui1ed and aided the material In
terests OF the District in that marvellous progress
they have made during that period. 1t is not pro-
posed to enter now upon the discussion OF this
subject, and the object OF the Commissioners at
this time Is only to call the attention OF the citi-
zens OF the District to the impending danger and
call upon the local press in the interest OF the pub
lie veal TO see TO 1t that District affairs no
| longer permitted to be msrepresented to the
world.
| 1t appears to the Commissioners that the press
in this regard has grave duty and responsibility
10 meet, and that With their means OF ascertatnng
and weighing the actual raCts and with the 1ull-
est access to every source Official and authentic
| Information, the ISLANDERS so preJudiclal to the
interest Of the District base in character and SO
simple OF reputation. should no longer be allowed
without rebuke to poison the pubic mind and
palter with the public conscience.
During the past year, the first OF the adminiStra-
tion OF the present board, the commissioners have
not failed in earnest and unremitting devotion to
proud to state that the results have been advan-
| tageOus in every material respect. Much valu-
| able legislation was procured at the late session
| OF Congress, with the aid Of earnest and loyal
friends in that body, and more generous apprOprl-
ations were made for nearly all purposes than
| ever before. Every department OF the District
| c1ent service, and the history OF the year has
been one OF unexampled prosperity and advance.
ment TO the material interests OF the District.
That in the making OF reforms, OF the better en-.
| fOrcement OF the old and the formulating OF new
laws and regulations, some points OF friction have
been developed, is not denied. Such are tnevita-
| bic, but the general law abiding character and
| good sense OF the citizens OF the Distnc1kil not
| fail to distinguish between the earneSU~ Hort tC
| advance their interests and the destructive ten.
denotes OF agitators, who seek only nOtOriety and
| the 1urtherlng OF selfish and corrupt purposes
| The Commissioners look forward to a magnificen,
| future for the District OF Columbia, and desire
only, so long their personal responsibility shall
| continue, to be connected With whatever Shal
prove to have been advantageous in its history
| Capt. SymOnS' Report.
Capt. Symons' report to the Commissioners Is o.
| follows:
OFFICE OF THE ENGINEER COMMISSIONER,